New Gearbox Sector shaft seal blow out

[bandt]

Got a rebuilt Cardone steering box for the car. Installed it back in March of last year. Idling in the driveway today noticed power steering gone. Park the car and there is fluid everywhere. Fluid completely drained out of the sector shaft seal in a matter of seconds.

Whats the deal? Anyone have anything similar happen? What would have caused this?

Cardones website says replacment warrenty for 3 years or 36,000 miles. Can't wait to pull my starter and header from that side.

Not happy,
Brian

[dutch]

that sucks....
is the seal still in the box? or did it blow out completely? 
 

[bandt]

The seal has to be in there still.
 Really not sure how this could happen. Under the seal is a washer and snap ring. The pitman arm has to be pulled off, than the snap ring removed then washer then seal.

Really weird.

[brads70]

That's a major pain in the butt! 

[dutch]

Check the shaft for play first 

[bandt]

I'm suppose to have the new box tomorrow.

Yes this is a huge pain in the a$$. I'm expecting it will take all day Saturday. Went and got a cheapie pittman arm puller. I'm not looking forward to this. Stupid Cardone.


Brian

[bandt]

Got the box replaced.

Pulled the pitman arm just to have a look at what happened to the seal. There was one spot that looked like it had just let go. The fluid sprayed out under pressure.
The seal set up is not what I expected to see. It looks like a seal put in backwards. The hollow part is facing out with no reinforcement spring. Not sure if there is another seal in behind it. The new gear that I got has the exact same set up. I was expecting to see a retaining washer and spring clip. Has anyone else seen this before??


Brian

[bandt]

Just looked it up in the service manual.

That rubber seal that is visable is the dust boot or grease seal.

[dutch]

I just wonder if there should be any high pressure oil down there.  Sounds like there`s  something wrong with the piston seals